News•Feb 12, 2026
Electricity Prices Rising by Double the Rate of Inflation. Data Center Demand Means No Relief Ahead, Analysts Say
Electricity rates surged 6.9% in 2025, more than double the 2.9% inflation rate, driven largely by AI‑powered data centers. Goldman Sachs warns that data centers will account for 40% of electricity‑demand growth, keeping prices elevated through the decade. Households face an additional 6% increase through 2027, eroding disposable income and modestly slowing consumer spending and GDP. Regional price spikes and political pressure are intensifying as utilities scramble to expand capacity.
